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March 08, 2017

Inspire Me: Malala & Frida

There are two women that have inspired me in my life recently. Both of them are strong women that have overcome many obstacles that were thrown in their way -- especially the fact that they are women.

I have admired Malala Yousafzai since the day that she was shot. I started reading her book over two years ago, and am still inspired by her courage to this day. Her need to put others before herself, to forgive those that have wronged her, and her yearning to educate the children of the world -- especially girls -- are reasons why I think of her on a regular basis to remind myself of what is important in my life, and why I should strive for something greater, letting the negative things in life roll off my back -- learn more about Malala and her work here.

Frida Kahlo is a woman by whom I have only recently been inspired. I know that she had a zest for life, and that she treated others as equals, and that she fought her way through life despite many hardships and physical injuries. I thought of her as I contemplated what to do about my lady-mustache and remembered that she rocked that shit, and I can do it to. Upon reading more about her, I found a fascinating woman that made a name for herself by herself.

And so, here we are, on International Women's Day 2017, celebrating the women that inspire us; the women that have raised us, and continue to support us; the women that our children will some day become. There is a strength in all of us, especially combined, that will someday overcome all of the obstacles that have been thrown in our way, and we will make a name for ourselves, by ourselves, and we will rock that shit.